sponsor an animal today!
Can't have pets in your house? Allergic? Have too many pets? We have a hot dog of a deal for you!
Now you can sponsor a Happy Tails animal without actually being the pet owner. Just click the button to sponsor an animal. We will send you pics and updates via email. Once our animal is adopted you will have the opportunity to sponsor another one. It's THAT easy!
Bissel Pet Foundation 2026 Empty The Shelters
We are so excited to be a part of Bissell Pet Foundations Empty the Shelters Event in 2026!
From May 1st to May 17th adoption and microchip fees will be waived and the spay/neuter fee is 50% off!
Come meet your new furry friend today!
Volunteer
Starting June 1st 2026 we will be starting a new foster program for short term (1-3) day fosters in our new Doggy Day Out program. Submit the foster application online or in person if you are interested in joining this program.
More details will be released soon.
About Us
Mike & Stephanie Elswick
Stephanie and Mike Elswick are among founding board members of Happy Tails Adoption Center Animal Shelter of Shelby County. They wanted to give back to their community in a meaningful way and looked for unmet needs. The lack of an animal shelter/animal adoption center kept coming to the top of the list. This resulted in their involvement with Happy Tails.
Board of Directors
- Stephanie Elswick - President
- Mike Elswick - Vice President & Chair of Fundraising Committee
- Deb Boles
- Stephanie Fults
- Michelle Covington Richards
- Danielle Permenter
- Brandi Emanis
- Tammy Worsham Hill
- Genera Bolton
- Holly Holloway Duck
Meet our Adoption center Coordinator!
Kelsey Hairgrove, Adoption Center Coordinator
Meet Kelsey Hairgrove! Posing with Kelsey is one of our available dogs, Kai!
We are so proud to announce that Kelsey has been promoted from a part-time Animal Care Specialist to our full time Adoption Center Coordinator.
Kelsey is married and has 2 daughters, 5 dogs, a foster dog, 3 cats and a ball python! She also owns her own business, KCH Critters & Care. Kelsey has a background in customer service, animal care and law enforcement (corrections).
We think that she’s PAWSOME 🐾 We are glad to have you, Kelsey! You already have us moving quickly in the right direction.
Best Friends, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, operates the nation’s largest sanctuary for homeless animals and provides adoption, spay/neuter, and educational programs.
With Best Friends, you are working to save the lives of cats and dogs all across America, giving pets second chances and happy homes.
BISSEL pet foundation is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Cathy Bissell in 2011 to end pet homelessness by supporting animal shelters, rescues, and underserved communities across all 50 states. It funds lifesaving programs including nationwide adoption events ("Empty the Shelters"), spay/neuter services, vaccinations, microchipping, and crisis/disaster response.
Empty The Shelters
Empty The Shelters
Empty the shelters is a program put on by Bissell once a year that promotes animal shelters throughout the country to help get them adopted faster through reduced or free adoption fees. We are so grateful to be a part of their program in 2026!
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